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Select Board authorizes three parking spaces for Bailey's Bubble; members urge steps to keep patrons off road
Summary
The board approved a request by Bailey's Bubble to reserve three curbside parking spaces after discussion about pedestrian safety and potential larger traffic solutions. The board asked the business and staff to keep the sidewalk open and to look at ways to reduce patrons drifting into Railroad Avenue.
The Wolfeboro Select Board voted to allow Bailey's Bubble to use three curbside parking spaces during evening hours for ice‑cream season, following a lengthy discussion about pedestrian safety and the growing crowds that form at the popular downtown shop.
Deb Scully, representing Bailey's Bubble, asked the board for the three spaces to provide pedestrian safety and to keep customers off the sidewalk and roadway when lines form. "It seems to work out well," Scully said, and asked the spaces be reserved after 5:30 p.m. on busy evenings.
Board members supported the request but devoted substantial time to broader safety concerns. Several select board members said the town should explore additional measures — improved planters, police presence, or targeted closure of sections of Railroad Avenue during peak summer evenings — while balancing parking needs for nearby restaurants, docks and residents. One member called for larger plant pots to prevent vehicles from drifting into the pedestrian queue. Others suggested examining a lease or fee arrangement for recurring use of town property.
The motion to allow the three parking spaces for Bailey’s Bubble (seasonal evenings) passed; the board added that the business should manage the queue to keep patrons off the travel lane and maintain the sidewalk for pedestrians. Members also asked town staff to consider whether a formal lease or permitting process should apply to recurring seasonal uses of town parking.
(Ending) The board approved the seasonal use of the three spaces, asked the business to contain the queue and asked staff to explore longer‑term options to protect pedestrian safety on Railroad Avenue.
